Should sledging be allowed in afl? where to draw the line?

Question

i know this is a murky subject, and has been brought up again with the headland-selwood case during the week

i think calling someone fat is ok (when i say ok, i mean it should not be penalised or punished by the tribunal. it is not good social behaviour)

i think racially vilifying someone is not

for the record, i think that what selwood) allegedly said is within the rules, and is ok (shouldnt be penalised)

where do you draw the line?

Answer 1

Sledging has been part of sport since adam was a pup but u do have to draw the lines at racial vilifacation and children.

Answer 2

this is a tough one - the reality is that if no one really knows exactly what Selwood said.  If he knowingly made those comments that Headland said he did, then I think he crossed the line.  (Although Headland should have handled the situation far more professionally than he did.)  If he actually said what he claimed, then there's nothing wrong with it at all.  I'm sure the Eagles players cop plenty of sledging for being drug users, which is fair game as well I think.  Racial vilification is a definite no-no.

The reality is though, at the end of the day, the scoreboard will always carry the loudest voice.

Answer 3

i dont think what selwood said was in the rules if what he said was what headland claimed he should have been punished and sledging can be used in some aspects but there is a line that shouldent be crossed for example you dont say im gonna f uck ure mum tonight just as hes gonna get the ball thats to far u dont pay out ppls family in a pro enviroment or any enviroment

Answer 4

Geez, how pathetic is our way of life becoming.  Is this right, can i say this, is that right, I didn't say this , I said that , But then again who said that..... Ya gotta be kidding me.    I was pissed on the first day I went to school,  I have been laughed at , riddiculed, and abused, for 40 something years , but it hasn't effected me in any way .  So now we have to give " precious  " thought and consideration to those who"publicly" display "tatts. " I'm bald and have been  laughed at and  called a bald headed b*****d for over 20 yrs.  what's the next step, do I go to the bald headed men's Ombudsman and complain . As I said ya gotta be kiddin me, and I really think we have to lighten up a bit . ...

Answer 5

I think sledging is ok (should not be penalised as you put it) as long religious or ethnic background or sexaul orientations is not 'sledged'. As far as the Des Headland case is concerned, I don't think he should have been exused for violence (though I don't really care anyway).

Answer 6

noooooooooooo!

Answer 7

yes sledging is good if a player wants a few 100 000 dollars to kick a footy around per year they have to be prepared for a bit of lip on the field

Answer 8

i think sledging in general is ok and what's said on the footy field should stay on the footy field,but i would draw the line at bagging or saying derogatory remarks about other players kids/family and racial slurrs (which are already an offence),but as for bagging the player himself i.e his looks,his abillity,something hes done in public or on the ground then go for it, they're all big boys and should be able to handle it.